Audio/video entertainment system and method

ABSTRACT

The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a system and method for programming and/or charging one or more audio/video devices such that the audio/video devices will be programmed and charged to receive transmitted audio and video signals associated with an event, allowing a user to use the audio/video device to observe the sights and sounds of the event. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a cart with a docking port for each of a plurality of personal audio/video devices, a charger configured to charge the power source of each personal audio/video display device, and programming logic configured to program each of the personal audio/video devices.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation application of applicationSer. No. 12/969,139, filed Dec. 15, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,253,865which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/702,716, filed Feb.5, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,859,597, which is a divisional applicationof application Ser. No. 10/159,666, filed May 30, 2002, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,210,160 which was a continuation-in-part of and claims priority i)to non-provisional U.S. patent application entitled “Audio/Video SignalDistribution System For Head Mounted Displays,” assigned Ser. No.09/322,411, filed May 28, 1999, now Abandoned; to copendingnon-provisional U.S. patent application entitled “Audio/Video System AndMethod Utilizing A Head Mounted Apparatus With Noise Attenuation,”assigned Ser. No. 09/386,613, filed Aug. 31, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No.7,124,425 and; iii) to non-provisional U.S. patent application entitled“Electronic Handheld Audio/Video Receiver And Listening/Viewing Device,”assigned Ser. No. 09/837,128, filed Apr. 18, 2001, now Abandoned, thecomplete and full subject matter of which are all expressly incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Certain embodiments of the present invention generally relate to videoand audio signal processing techniques and, in particular, to a systemand method for receiving video and audio signals from a plurality ofsources and for providing a user with multiple combinations of thesesignals to select from. Certain embodiments of the present inventiongenerally relate to an apparatus for processing video and/or audiosignals and for displaying images and producing sounds based on theprocessed video and/or audio signals. Certain embodiments of the presentinvention generally relate to video and audio device programming,charging, and vending and, in particular, to a system and method forprogramming and charging one or more personal audio/video devices.

2. Related Art

Audio and video signals are generated from a plurality of sources duringmany events. For example, at an auto race, television crews usuallyposition cameras at various locations within view of a racetrack. Thesecameras generate video signals defining views of the racetrack fromvarious perspectives. In addition, microphones positioned at variouslocations generate audio signals defining different sounds at the autorace. For example, microphones may be located close to the race track toreceive sounds produced by the vehicles participating in the race, andmicrophones may be located close to television commentators to receivethe comments of the commentators as they observe and comment on therace. As another example, at a football game or other type of sportingevent, television crews usually position cameras and microphones atvarious locations in the stadium.

One of the video signals and one or more of the audio signals areusually selected and combined together at a television station to form acombined video/audio signal. This signal is then modulated andtransmitted so that users having a television can receive the combinedsignal via the television. The television demodulates the combinedsignal and displays an image defined by the video signal on a displayscreen and reproduces the sounds defined by the audio signals viaspeakers. Therefore, the sights and sounds of the race can be viewed andheard via the television.

In addition, one or more of the audio signals, such as audio signalsdefining the comments of radio commentators, are usually selected andmodulated at a radio station to form a radio signal. This radio signalis then transmitted as a wireless signal so that users having radios canreceive the signal via a radio. The radio demodulates the signal andreproduces the sounds defined by the radio signal via speaker.

However, users viewing and/or hearing the sights and sounds of the raceor game via televisions and/or radios are not usually given theopportunity to select which video and/or audio signals are modulated andtransmitted to the television and/or radio. Therefore, the user is onlyable to receive the signals modulated and transmitted to the televisionand/or radio, even though the user may prefer to receive the other audioand/or video signals that are generated at the auto race or game.

Spectators who actually attend the sporting event are usually given moreoptions to view and/or hear the sights and/or sounds of the sportingevent from different perspectives. In this regard, a plurality ofmonitors are usually located at particular locations in the stadium. Asused herein, “stadium” shall be defined to mean any non-movablestructure having a large number (i.e., thousands) of seats, wherein anevent occurs at (i.e., within a close proximity of) the seats such thatspectators sitting in the seats can view the event. An “event” is anyoccurrence viewed by a spectator.

Each monitor within the stadium receives one of the aforementioned videosignals and displays an image defined by the received video signal tomany of the spectators. However, the monitor does not always display adesirable perspective with respect to each spectator in the stadium, andthe monitor is often located in an inconvenient location for many of thespectators. In this regard, many of the spectators often must leavetheir seats (or other locations) in the stadium and go to a locationwhere the spectators, along with other spectators, can view the monitordisplaying the desired perspective. The spectators viewing the monitoroften do not have control over which image is displayed by the monitor.

Thus, a heretofore-unaddressed need exists in the industry for providinga system and method that enables a spectator to conveniently view anevent from different perspectives.

A way to address this need is with personal audio/video devices for useby spectators at an event or for use in association with an event.However, stadiums have varying audio and video frequencies available foruse in connection with various events. Different stadiums in differentgeographical locations will also have different audio and videofrequencies available for transmission in connection with the events.

Accordingly, there also exists a need to alter or program the audio andvideo frequencies used by audio/video devices to ensure that one or moreaudio/video devices are able to receive the proper audio and videofrequencies at each stadium and event. Similarly, after each use, anaudio/video device may need to be charged before its next use.Accordingly, a need exists for providing and system and method forcharging one or more audio/video device between uses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the inadequacies and deficiencies of theprior art as discussed hereinbefore. In accordance with certainembodiments, a system and method are provided for providing a user witha plurality of audio and video signals defining different sounds andviews associated with an event. The system includes a handheld devicehaving a video receiver, a virtual image display device, and one or morespeakers. The virtual image display device produces virtual visualimages based on received video signals, and the speakers produce soundsbased on the received audio signals. As a result, the user may hear thesounds produced by the speakers and may see the video images produced bythe display device by holding the handheld device to the user's face, orthe user may watch the event live by removing the handheld device fromthe user's face.

In accordance with another embodiment, the handheld device incorporatesan integrated light shield/shroud to block ambient light that caninterfere with the user's ability to view the virtual image. Unlikeindividual eye shrouds characteristic of a pair of optical binoculars,the present shroud shields both eyes at the same time. Among otheradvantages, the present shroud enables the user to operate the devicewhile wearing eyeglasses or sunglasses.

In accordance with other embodiments, a system and method are providedfor providing a user with a plurality of audio and video signalsdefining different views and sounds associated with an event whilereducing the amount of external noise heard by the user. The systemincludes a display device, a head mount, noise reduction devices, and aspeaker. The display device is coupled to the head mount and producesvisual images based on received video signals. The head mount is mountedon the user's head and is coupled to the noise reduction devices, whichcover the user's ears such that external noise is reduced. The noisereduction devices are coupled together via a strap that fits around theuser head. The noise reduction devices are coupled to and house speakersthat produce sound signals based on received audio signals. As a result,the user may see the video images produced by the display device and thesounds produced by the speaker, and the external noise heard by the useris reduced.

In accordance with another feature, the head mount has ridges formedthereon, and the noise reduction devices include notches. Once the noisereduction devices are properly positioned, the ridges are received bythe notches, and the noise reduction device is, therefore, less likelyto move with respect to the head mount.

In accordance with other embodiments, a system and method are providedfor programming and/or charging one or more audio/video devices suchthat the audio/video device or devices will be properly programmed andcharged to receive transmitted audio and video signals associated withan event, allowing a user to use the audio/video device to observe thesights and sounds of the event.

The system includes a cart with a securing mechanism for each of aplurality of personal audio/video devices, a charger configured tocharge the power source of each personal audio/video display device, andprogramming logic configured to program each of the personal audio/videodevices.

In accordance with another feature, the cart includes a control panel toallow the appropriate audio and video frequencies to be selected forprogramming the personal audio/video devices.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to one skilled in the art upon examination of the followingdetailed description, when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. It is intended that all such features and advantages beincluded herein within the scope of the present invention and protectedby the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood with reference to the followingdrawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scalerelative to each other, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the invention. Furtheiinore, likereference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the severalviews.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a video/audio system inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed view of an interfacedevice depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed view of a receiverdepicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a three dimensional view of a conventional head mounteddisplay;

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating the conventional head mounted displaydepicted in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a three dimensional view of a head mounted display inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a side view of the noise reduction device of the head mounteddisplay depicted in FIG. 6;

FIG. 7B is a front view of the noise reduction device of the headmounted display depicted in FIG. 6;

FIG. 7C is a bottom view of the noise reduction device of the headmounted display depicted in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8A-B is a more detailed view of the left temple piece of the headmounted display depicted in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a top view of a temple piece of the head mounted displaydepicted in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a side view of a temple piece of the head mounted displaydepicted in FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a video/audio receiving systemin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating more detailed view of a virtualimage display system depicted in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a top view of an exemplary handheld device for implementingthe video/audio receiving system in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a three dimensional front view of the exemplary handhelddevice depicted in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a three dimensional view of a video/audio programming andcharging system in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 16 is a top view of a securing mechanism for a plurality ofpersonal audio/video devices;

FIG. 17 is a side cut-away view of the securing mechanism depicted inFIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a front view of a control panel of the embodiment depicted inFIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be describedhereafter in the context of auto racing applications. However, the scopeof the present invention should not be so limited, and it should beapparent to one skilled in the art that the principles of the presentinvention may be employed in the context of other applications,particularly in the context of other sporting events (e.g., footballgames, basketball games, baseball games, hockey matches, etc.) and atvarious stadiums housing the sporting events.

FIG. 1 depicts a video/audio system 20 implementing an embodiment of thepresent invention. At least one video signal 22 and at least one audiosignal 25 are received by an interface device 28. Each of the receivedvideo signals 22 defines a view of the race from a differentperspective. For example, the video signals 22 may be generated bydifferent video cameras located at different locations around thestadium, including inside at least some of the vehicles participating inthe race.

Furthermore, each of the audio signals 25 defines different soundsassociated with the race, For example, at least one of the audio signals25 may be generated from a microphone located close to the track or inone of the vehicles such that the audio signal 25 defines noise from thevehicles participating in the race. Alternatively, at least one of theaudio signals 25 may define the comments of television commentators, andat least one of the audio signals 25 may define the comments of radiocommentators. Furthermore, at least one of the audio signals 25 maydefine the comments between one of the drivers participating in the raceand the driver's pit crew.

Some of the video and audio signals 22 and 25 can be unmodulated whentransmitted to the interface device 28 and, therefore, do not need to bedemodulated by the system 20. However, some of the video and audiosignals 22 and 25 may need to be demodulated by the system 20. Forexample, at least one of the audio signals 25 defining the comments ofthe radio commentators may be modulated as a radio signal fortransmission to radios located at or away from the stadium, and at leastone of the video signals 22 may be modulated as a television signal fortransmission to televisions located at or away from the stadium. Inaddition, the comments between a driver and the driver's pit crew areusually transmitted via ultra high frequency (UHF) radio waves, whichare known to be modulated signals. Therefore, as shown by FIG. 1, thesystem 20 preferably includes demodulators 32 configured to receive anddemodulate the video and/or audio signals 22 and 25.

It is possible for some of the video and audio signals 22 and 25 to bereceived from a combined signal 35, which is comprised of at least onevideo signal 22 combined with at least one audio signal 25. For example,the combined signal 35 may be a television signal modulated fortransmission to televisions located at or away from the track stadium.To facilitate the combination of different audio signals 25 with thevideo signal(s) 22 defined by the combined signal 35, a separator 37preferably separates the combined signal 35 into its respective videosignal 22 and audio signal 25, as shown by FIG. 1.

Various configurations of the separator 37 may exist without departingfrom the principles of the present invention. FIG. 1 depicts a possibleimplementation of the separator 37. In this regard, the separator 37includes an audio signal filter 41 designed to filter out any audiosignals 25 from the combined signal 35 and to transmit the resultingvideo signal(s) 22 to interface device 28. Furthermore, the separator 37also includes a video signal filter 43 designed to filter out any videosignals 22 from the combined signal 35 and to transmit the resultingaudio signal(s) 25 to interface device 28. If more than one video signal22 or more than one audio signal 25 is included in the combined signal35, then the separator 37 may include additional filters (not shown) toseparate the multiple video and/or audio signals 22 and 25 intoindividual signals before transmitting the signals 22 and 25 to theinterface device 28.

FIG. 2 depicts a more detailed view of the interface device 28. Theinterface device 28 includes audio combiners 52 configured to receiveaudio signals 25 and to combine the received audio signals 25 into asingle combined audio signal 55. As shown by FIG. 2, each audio combiner52 preferably receives a different combination of audio signals 25,although it is possible for any one of the combined signals 55 toinclude the same combination of audio signals 25 as any other combinedsignal 55. Note that when an audio combiner 52 receives only one audiosignal 25, the combined signal 55 output by the combiner 52 matches theone signal 25 received by the combiner 52.

As an example, one of the combined signals 55 may include an audiosignal 25 defining comments between a driver and the driver's pit crewand also an audio signal 25 defining sounds (i.e., vehicular noises)received by a microphone located in the driver's vehicle. Another of thecombined signals 55 may include the aforementioned audio signals 25 aswell as an audio signal 25 defining a radio commentator's comments.Another combined signal 55 may only include an audio signal 25 defininga television commentator's comments. Accordingly, the combined signals55 preferably define different combinations of sounds. It should benoted that combinations of audio signals 25 other than those describedhereinabove are possible.

As shown by FIG. 2, each combined signal 55 is transmitted to arespective signal modulator 61. Each signal modulator 61 is alsoconfigured to receive a respective one of the video signals 22 receivedby the interface device 28. Each signal modulator 61 is configured tocombine the received combined signal 55 and video signal 22 and tomodulate the received signals 55 and 25 on a unique frequency range. Thesignal modulator 61 is then designed to transmit the modulated signal64, which comprises the combined signal 55 and the video signal 22received by the signal modulator 61, to a combiner 67. The combiner 67is configured to combine each of the modulated signals 64 transmittedfrom each of the signal modulators 61 into a single combined (i.e.,multiplexed) signal 71. This combined signal 71 is then transmitted to aplurality of receivers 75.

Various techniques exist for transmitting combined signal 71 toreceivers 75. For example, a coaxial cable may be used to transmit thecombined signal 71 to each of the receivers 75. In another example, thesystem 20 may include a wireless transmitter (not shown) that transmitsthe combined signal 71 to the receivers 75. Any technique fortransmitting the combined signal 71 to the receivers 75 should besuitable for implementing the present invention.

A more detailed view of receiver 75 is shown by FIG. 3. Receiver 75preferably includes a demodulator 82. The demodulator 82 is configuredto demodulate the combined signal 71 and to separate (i.e., demultiplex)the combined signal 71 into signals 84 based on frequency, such thateach signal 84 respectively corresponds with one of the modulatedsignals 64. In other words, the demodulator 82 recovers the individualsignals 64 as signals 84, and each signal 84 is, therefore, defined bythe same video and audio signals 22 and 25 that define its correspondingmodulated signal 64. Therefore, like modulated signals 64, each signal84 is preferably comprised of a unique combination of video and audiosignals 22 and 25.

Signals 84 are transmitted from demodulator 82 to a multiplexer 88,which also receives control signals 92 from a user interface 94. Theuser interface 94 preferably includes buttons or other types of switchesthat enable a spectator to select one of the signals 84 via controlsignals 92. In this regard, the multiplexer 88, through techniques wellknown in the art, selects one of the signals 84 based on control signals92 and outputs the selected signal 84 as output signal 97, as shown byFIG. 3.

The receiver 75 includes an audio signal filter 41 configured to filterthe audio signal(s) 25 out of signal 97. Therefore, only the videosignal(s) 22 within signal 97 are transmitted to a display device 101,which is configured to render the received video signal(s) 22 (i.e.,display an image defined by the received video signal(s) 22) to thespectator.

The receiver 75 also includes a video signal filter 43 configured tofilter the video signal(s) 22 out of signal 97. Therefore, only theaudio signal(s) 25 within signal 97 are transmitted to a speaker 103,which is configured to produce sounds defined by the received audiosignal(s) 25, through techniques well known in the art.

In an embodiment, the display device 101 and speaker 103 may be includedwithin a head mounted display (HMD), which is discussed in furtherdetail hereinbelow. By utilizing head mounted displays, the spectator'sexperience may be enhanced. For example, when a head mounted display isused to show an in-car view from a camera located in a driver's carduring an auto race, the spectator sees a similar view as the driver ofthe car. Because the head mounted display limits the spectator'speripheral view of the environment around him, the user naturallyfocuses on the view provided by the head mounted display. Therefore, theuser may feel almost as if he were riding in the car along with thedriver, thereby enhancing the spectator's experience. The head mounteddisplay may similarly enhance a spectator's experience at other events,such as other sporting events, for example.

Furthermore, when the combined signal 71 is transmitted via a coaxialcable, the receiver 75 may be located at a spectator's stadium seat orother convenient location. When the combined signal 71 is transmittedvia a wireless transmitter, the receiver 75 is portable, and a spectatormay carry the receiver 75 with him and choose where he would like toview the images and hear the sounds produced by the receiver 75.

Accordingly, the spectator may remain in his seat (or other convenientlocation) and control, by manipulating buttons or other types ofswitches in the user interface 94, which combination of video and audiosignals 22 and 25 are respectively transmitted to display device 101 andspeaker 103. Therefore, the system 20 gives the spectator moreflexibility in how the spectator views the race and, as a result, makesthe race a more enjoyable experience.

It should be noted that video signals 22 and audio signals 25 may beseparately transmitted to receiver 75. For example, video signals 22 maybe processed and transmitted to receiver 75 via interface device 28 orother type of device, and audio signals 25 may be transmitted toreceiver 75 via another device. Through conventional techniques, thereceiver 75 may then be configured to select the audio and video signals25 and 22 to be transmitted to display device 101 and speaker 103.

Head Mounted Displays

Many different types of head mounted displays may be employed toimplement the present invention. Examples of head mounted displays thatmay be used to implement the present invention are fully described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,844,656, entitled “Head Mounted Display with AdjustmentComponents” and filed on Nov. 7, 1996, by Ronzani et all, and U.S. Pat.No. 5,903,395, entitled ‘Personal Visual Display System,” and filed onAug. 31, 1994, by Rallison et al., which are both incorporated herein byreference. FIGS. 4 and 5 depict a head mounted display (HMD) 151described by U.S. Pat. No. 5,903,395.

As depicted in FIG. 4, the HMD 151 includes a main portion 152,containing electronics or optics used to provide a visual display to thespectator. The HMD 151 also includes left and right temple pieces 154 aand 154 b that may be used for assisting and holding the main portion152 in the desired position to deliver video output to the spectator'seyes. A strap 156 can be provided to further assist in holding theapparatus in the desired position with respect to the head 158 of thespectator. A forehead brace 161 can be provided to further assist inproper positioning of the main portion 152. The forehead brace 161 isuseful to transfer some of the weight of the apparatus to thespectator's forehead. This may provide a more comfortable configurationthan having substantially all of the weight transferred via othercomponents such as the temple pieces 154 a and 154 b, headstrap 156and/or a nose bridge piece (not shown) that may be used in other typesof HMDs.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, the forehead brace 161 extends back a distance165 from the main portion 152 of the apparatus. As a result, there is anamount of space 166 between the eye position 167 of the spectator andthe portion 168 of the apparatus which resides in front of thespectator's eyes sufficient to accommodate the spectator's eyeglasses,e.g., about one inch or more (in one embodiment, about 25 mm).

A connection is provided for establishing communication or data transferto the HMD 151, which, in the depicted embodiment, involves a cable 171mounted along the underside of the left temple piece 154 a. As anexample, the demodulator 82 (FIG. 3), multiplexer 88, and user interface94 may be included in a device separate from the HMD 151 shown by FIGS.4 and 5. The cable 171 may transmit the signals 97 (FIG. 3) to thefilters 41 and 43, which are located in the main portion 152. Thefiltered signals from filters 41 and 43 may be respectively transmittedto display device 101 (FIG. 3) and speaker 103 (FIG. 3) via other cablesor other types of connections.

As can be seen by FIGS. 4 and 5, speakers 103 a and 103 b arerespectively provided for each ear of the spectator. Furthermore, thedisplay device 101 (FIG. 3) is comprised of two liquid crystal displays(LCDs) 175 that receive video signals and produce images based on thereceived video signals through techniques well known in the art. Each ofthe LCDs 175 is positioned in front of a respective eye of the spectatorso that each eye of the spectator views an image produced by one of theLCDs 175,

In the depicted embodiment, a rocker switch 179 can be used to providecontrol of a parameter which varies through a range, such as the volumeof the sound produced by the speakers 103 a and 103 b. Other items thatcould be controlled in this fashion include, but are not limited to,tint, hue or contrast of the video, selection of a video and/or audiosource such as channel selection, image brightness, audio tone (i.e.,treble/bass control) and the like. A slider switch 181 can be used,e.g., to select among discrete choices. For example, the slider switch181 may be used to select left, right or no relative frame phasing, toselect between stereo and non-stereoscopic views, etc. Other controlsand/or indicators can also be used and can be mounted on varioussurfaces of the head-mounted apparatus of FIG. 4.

Left speaker 103 a is movably attached to the end of the temple piece154 a, e.g., by pivotal arm 185 a which can be laterally adjusted to amounting slot 188 a in temple piece 154 a. The speaker 103 a can be heldin position by friction or a detent tightener 189 can be used to securethe speaker 103 a in the desired position. Right speaker 103 b issimilarly secured to temple piece 154 b. Cables 191 a and 191 b arerespectively used in the HMD 151 of FIG. 4 to provide the desiredsignals to the speakers 103 a and 103 b, respectively. The head strap156 is preferably coupled to the temple pieces 154 a and 154 b via leftand right strap pivots, loops or D-rings 195 a and 195 b. A lengthand/or tightness adjustment mechanism such as a buckle, for example, canbe provided on the strap 156.

At many sporting events (e.g., auto races, in particular), relativelyloud noises are produced. Therefore, it would be difficult for a user tohear the selected audio signals via many conventional head mounteddisplays, such as the one depicted by FIGS. 4 and 5. Accordingly, theinventors have designed a HMD 250 that includes noise reduction devices252 a and 252 b to reduce the amount of external noise heard by aspectator, as shown by FIG. 6.

Similar to HMD 151 of FIG. 4, HMD 250 includes temple pieces 259 a and259 b that are connected to main portion 152. Main portion 152 andtemple pieces 259 a and 259 b form a head mount to which othercomponents of the HMD 151 can be coupled. Each noise reduction device252 a and 252 b is similarly designed and is respectively coupled to thetemple pieces 259 a and 259 b such that each device 252 a and 252 b fitsover a respective ear of a spectator during use. In this regard, eachnoise reduction device 252 a and 252 b forms a cup-shaped shell having arecess 267 (FIGS. 7A-7D). Preferably, a padded cushion 271, such as theone described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,118 entitled “HeadphoneCushioning,” which is incorporated herein by reference, is positioned atthe mouth of each device 252 a and 252 b as shown by FIGS. 7A-7D so thatthe noise reduction devices 252 a and 252 b comfortably engage thespectator's head during use. When device 252 a or 252 b is engaged withthe spectator's head, the spectator's ear fits into the recess 267, andthe engaged device 252 a or 252 b blocks external noises from reachingthe ear. Therefore, devices 252 a and 252 b are similar to the ear cupdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,955, entitled “Impact-AbsorbingSound-Attenuating Ear cup,” filed on Apr. 13, 1989, by Murphy, H et al.,which is incorporated herein by reference.

Similar to U.S. Pat. No. 5,018,599, entitled “Headphone Device,” andfiled on Sep. 18, 1989, by Masahiro et al., which is incorporated hereinby reference, each noise reduction device 252 a and 252 b isrespectively coupled to and houses speakers 103 a and 103 b, Thespeakers 103 a and 103 b are respectively coupled to cables 191 a and191 b, and produce sound corresponding to the audio signals transmittedvia cables 191 a and 191 b. Consequently, in use, external noises areattenuated, yet the spectator can clearly hear the selected audiosignals produced by the speakers 103 a and 103 b.

Device 252 a will be described in more detail hereafter. However, itshould be apparent to one skilled in the art that device 252 b includesthe same features of device 252 a except that device 252 b is coupled totemple piece 259 b (instead of piece 259 a) and is designed to cover thespectator's opposite ear.

Referring to FIGS. 7A, 8A, and 8B, the device 252 a preferably includesa member 281 having a slot 283 adapted to receive temple piece 259 a.The member 281 also includes a hole 286. In operation, the temple piece259 a passes through slot 283, and a securing member 288 (FIG. 9), suchas a bolt or a screw for example, passes through the hole 286 and passesthrough a slot 264 (FIG. 9) in the temple piece 259 a. The securingmember 288 is preferably secured to the temple piece 259 a and themember 281 via any suitable technique. For example, the securing member288 may be screwed through the member 281 via hole 286, and the securingmember 288 may also be screwed through a piece 291 (FIG. 9) located on aside of the temple piece 259 a opposite of the member 281. Therefore,the member 281 is secured to the temple piece 259 a via the securingmember 288. However, it should be apparent to one skilled in the artthat other devices and methodologies may be employed to secure themember 281 to temple piece 259 a.

As shown by FIG. 10, a ridge 301 is formed on a side of the temple piece259 a that engages a wall 299 (FIG. 7A) of slot 283, when the templepiece 259 a is received by slot 283. As shown by FIG. 7A, a portion ofthe wall 299 of slot 283 includes a series of notches 303 that are eachcapable of receiving the ridge 301. When the ridge 301 is received by anotch 303, as shown by FIG. 9, any force tending to move the device 252a relative to the temple piece 259 a in the x-direction causes the ridge301 to press against a portion of the wall 299 forming the notch 303,until the device 252 a is pushed with a force sufficient to deform aflexible portion 311 of temple piece 259 a. The flexible portion 311 ispositioned adjacent to slot 312 to allow the flexible portion 311 todeform away from the wall 299. Once this occurs, the ridge 301 movespast the notch 303 more easily, allowing the temple piece 259 a to moverelative to member 281 and, therefore, device 252 a. The flexibleportion 311 preferably has sufficient elasticity to return to itsundeformed state once the ridge 301 moves past the notch 303. Therefore,after moving past the aforementioned notch 303, the ridge 301 shouldengage a portion of the wall 299 forming another notch 303.

Therefore, the user can slide the device 252 a in the x-direction alongthe length of the temple piece 259 a causing the ridge 301 to bereceived by different notches 303 until the device 252 a is properlypositioned relative to the spectator's head (i.e., until the spectator'sear is comfortably positioned within the recess 267 of the device 252a). Once the spectator stops sliding the device 252 a and the ridge 301is received by one of the notches 303, the position of the device 252 arelative to the temple piece 259 a and, therefore, the spectator's headshould remain constant until a force sufficient for deforming theflexible portion is exerted on the HMD 250.

As shown by FIG. 6, the device 252 a is preferably fastened to an end ofthe strap 156. Therefore, each end of the strap 156 is coupled to eachof the noise reduction devices 252 a and 252 b. To fasten the devices252 a and 252 b to the strap 156, each device 252 a and 252 b mayinclude a clip, clasp, loop, ring 304 (shown in FIG. 7A) or other typeof fastening device. The length of the strap 156 can be adjusted viaconventional techniques to adjust the size of the HMD 250. Therefore, todon the HMD 250, a user places the forehead brace 161 (FIG. 6) againsthis forehead and positions the strap 156 around the back of his head.The spectator then tightens the strap 156 (i.e., reduces the length ofthe strap 156) until the HMD 250 is comfortably held in place. Thespectator adjusts the position of the devices 252 a and 252 b byrespectively sliding the devices 252 a and 252 b along the length of thetemple piece 259 a and 259 b in the x-direction until the devices 252 aand 252 b are properly positioned. Then, the spectator can furthertighten the strap 156 as desired to further press the forehead brace 161and the devices 252 a and 252 b against the spectator's head.

In this regard, tightening the strap 156 reduces the circumference ofthe HMD 250 thereby pressing each device 252 a and 252 b and theforehead brace 161 further against the spectator's head. To a certaindegree, as the strap 156 is tightened, external noise is betterattenuated, and it is less likely that the HMD 250 will move withrespect to the spectator's head. Accordingly, the spectator can tightenor loosen the strap 156 as desired until the desired fit and desirednoise reduction is achieved.

It should be noted that it is possible to swap the position of ridge 301with notches 303. In other words, it is possible to form ridge 301 on aflexible portion of device 252 a and to form the notches 303 in thetemple piece 259 a without materially affecting the performance oroperation of the HMD 250.

FIG. 11 depicts a video/audio receiving system 313 implementing theprinciples of the present invention. At least one video signal 314 andat least one audio signal 315 are received by a receiver 316. Each ofthe video signals 314 defines a view of the event from a differentperspective. For example, the video signals 314 may be generated bydifferent video cameras located at different locations around thestadium. Furthermore, each of the audio signals 315 defines differentsounds associated with the game. For example, at least one of the audiosignals 315 may be generated from a microphone located close to thesideline of the game or in one of the helmets of one of the players ofthe game such that the audio signal defines sounds from the participantsin the game. Alternatively, at least one of the audio signals 315 maydefine the comments of television commentators, and at least one of theaudio signals 315 may define the comments of radio commentators.

In particular, at least one of the audio and one of the video signalsmay be transmitted as a single combined signal from an audio/videosystem described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/322,411 entitled“Video/Audio System and Method Enabling a User to Select Different Viewsand Sounds Associated with an Event” Additionally, one or more of thevideo and/or audio signals may be wireless, in which case, the interface318 may comprise an antenna for receiving the wireless signals. However,various other types of signal interfaces 318 are possible. For example,the signal interface 318 may be a cable or other type of signaltransmission apparatus. Any type of wireless and/or non-wirelesstechnique may be used to transmit signals to the video and audioreceiver 316 via the signal interface 318.

Some of the audio and video signals 315 and 314 can be unmodulated whentransmitted to the receiver 316 through the signal interface 318 and,therefore, do not need to be demodulated by the system 313. However,some of the audio signals 315 and/or video signals 314 may be modulatedwhen received by the receiver 316 and, therefore, may need to bedemodulated by the system 313. For example, at least one of the audiosignals 315 defining the comments of the radio commentators may bemodulated as a radio signal for transmission to radios located at oraway from the stadium, and at least one of the video signals 314 may bemodulated as a television signal for transmission to televisions locatedat or away from the stadium. Therefore, as shown by FIG. 11, the system313 preferably includes a demodulator 320 configured to demodulate anymodulated audio signals 315 and/or video signals 314 received by thereceiver 316 through the signal interface 318.

Once demodulated, if necessary, the audio and video signals 315 and 314are processed by signal processing logic 322, which selects andconditions the signals 315 and 314. More specifically, the signalprocessing logic 322 selects, based on inputs from the user, one of theaudio signals 315 and one of the video signals 314. Note that the logic322 may be implemented via hardware, software, or a combination thereof.Further, the logic 322 may include one or more filters for filtering outthe unselected signals 315 and 314. After selecting one of the audio andvideo signals 315 and 314, the logic 322 conditions the selected videosignals 314 so that they are compatible with the virtual image displaysystem 330, and the logic 322 conditions the selected audio signals 315so that they are compatible with the speakers 334. The logic 322 thentransmits the conditioned audio signals 315 to the speakers 334, whichconverts the conditioned audio signals 315 into sound. The logic 322also transmits the conditioned video signals 314 to the virtual imagedisplay system 330, which displays the image defined by the conditionedvideo signals 314 according to techniques known in the art. Note thatthe processing performed by the signal processing logic 322 may besimilar to or identical to the processing performed by the system inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/322,411 entitled “Video/Audio Systemand Method Enabling a User to Select Different Views and SoundsAssociated with an Event.”

An input device 324, which may comprise one or more buttons knobs,dials, or other types of switches, may be used to provide the inputs forthe processing performed by the processing logic 322. By controlling thecomponents of the input device 324, the user may control various aspectsof the processing performed by the logic 322, including which videosignals 314 are selected for viewing, as well as which audio signals 315are heard and the volume of the audio signals 315.

FIG. 12 depicts an exemplary virtual image display system 330 that maybe employed to implement the principles of the present invention. Aprocessed video signal 314 is displayed onto a Liquid Crystal Display334. The Liquid Crystal Display 334 may be lit from the back via a backlight 336, with the light shining through the Liquid Crystal Display334, creating an image on the other side of the Liquid Crystal Display334. On the opposite side of the Liquid Crystal Display 334 from theback light 336, some distance from the Liquid Crystal Display 334, is ahalf-silvered mirror 338. The half-silvered mirror 338 is set at anapproximately forty-five degree angle from the Liquid Crystal Display334. The image reflects off the half-silvered minor 338 onto a separatecurved minor 340 set some distance away from the half-silvered mirror338. The curved mirror 340 magnifies the virtual image. The magnifiedvirtual image reflects off the curved mirror 340, back to thehalf-silvered mirror 338. The magnified virtual image passes through thehalf-silvered mirror 338 to a lens 342 located on the opposite side ofthe half-silvered mirror 338 from the curved mirror 340. The magnifiedvirtual image passes through the lens 342, which focuses the magnifiedvirtual image. When the handheld device 350 is held to the user's faceand the user 344 looks into the lens 342, the magnified virtual image isobserved by the user 344. The user 344 observes the magnified virtualimage as much greater in size than the actual size of the image on theLiquid Crystal Display 334, with said magnified virtual image appearingto the user 344 to be located several feet in front of the user 344. Itshould be noted that other embodiments of the virtual image displaysystem 330 may be employed without departing from the principles of thepresent invention. For example, in some embodiments, a single prism canbe used to replace mirror 338.

In the preferred embodiment, the receiver 316, signal processing logic322, virtual image display system 330, and speakers 334 are all embodiedwithin a handheld device 350, which is discussed in further detailherein below. Note that the handheld device 350 may be comprised of ahousing unit or a casing coupled to each of the components shown in FIG.11. One or more of the components may be housed within the casing. Byutilizing a handheld device 350 for viewing video signals 314, theuser's experience may be enhanced. For example, when a handheld device350 is used to show a field view of the game from a camera located onanother side of the stadium, the user 344 sees a similar view asspectators located in that portion of the stadium.

Because the handheld device 350 limits the user's peripheral view of theenvironment around him, the user 344 naturally focuses on the viewprovided by the handheld device 350. When the user 344 desires to viewthe game directly, the user may quickly lower the device 350 so that theuser's view of the game is not obstructed by the device 350. Thehandheld device 350 may similarly enhance a user's experience at otherevents, such as other sporting events, for example.

Furthermore, since the device 350 is handheld, the device 350 is easilyportable, and the user 344 may carry the handheld device 350 with himand choose where he would like to view the images produced by thehandheld device 350. Indeed, the user 344 may roam the stadium with thedevice 350 in hand while intermittently viewing the images and hearingthe sounds produced by the system 313. Furthermore, by manipulatingbuttons or other types of switches 356 in the user input device 324, theuser 344 may control which video signals 314 are displayed and whichaudio signals 315 are produced by the system 313. Accordingly, thehandheld device 350 gives the user 344 more flexibility in how the user344 observes and listens to the sporting event and, as a result, makesthe event a more enjoyable experience.

Many different types of casings for the handheld device 350 may beemployed to implement the present invention. FIGS. 13 and 14 depict anexemplary handheld device 350.

As depicted in FIG. 13, the handheld device 350 includes a maincomponent 352, containing the system 313 (FIG. 11) used to provide avirtual image to the user 344, as discussed hereinbefore. The handhelddevice 350 also includes a shroud 354 to block out ambient light. Theshroud 354 is adapted to receive the user's forehead and allows thehandheld device 350 to be engaged with the user's forehead while theuser 344 is wearing eyeglasses or sunglasses. As can be seen in FIG. 14,the shroud 354 is shaped and sized to completely cover the user's eyes,allowing the handheld device 350 to be held against the face and/orforehead comfortably and blocking ambient light. Also as a result, thereis an amount of space between the eye position of the user 344 and thelenses 342 which reside in front of the user's eyes sufficient toaccommodate the user's eyeglasses, e.g., about one inch or more (in oneembodiment, about 25 mm).

As depicted in FIG. 13, one or more switches 356 can be placed on theoutside of the handheld device 350 for manipulation by the user 344 (notshown in FIG. 13) when the handheld device 350 is held to the user'sface and/or forehead. Such switches 356 may include a rocker switch usedto provide control of a parameter which varies through a range, such aschannel selection. Other items that could be controlled in this fashioninclude, but are not limited to, tint, hue or contrast of the image,image brightness, volume control and the like. A slider switch (notshown) can be used, e.g., to select among discrete choices. For example,the slider switch (not shown) may be used to select left, right or norelative frame phasing, to select between stereo and non-stereoscopicviews, etc. Other controls and/or indicators can also be used and can bemounted on various surfaces of the handheld device 350 of FIG. 13.

It should be noted that it is not necessary for the user 344 to keep thehandheld device 350 within the stadium. In this regard, the audio andvideo signals 315 and 314 may be transmitted via satellites and/orcommunication networks to various locations around the world, and theuser 344 may select the view he prefers the most from just about anylocation capable of receiving a video signal 314 and/or audio signal315.

It should also be noted that the handheld device 350 may be retrievedfrom the user 344 after the user 344 is finished viewing the event sothat the handheld device 350 can be provided to another spectator foranother event at the stadium. Each user 344 may be charged a usage feefor the user's use of the handheld device 350. In some embodiments,payment of the fee may be required before the user 344 is provided withthe device 350. In other embodiments, the device 350 may receiveinformation, via signals 314 and/or 315 or otherwise, indicating whetherthe device 350 is authorized to produce sounds and images defined by thesignals 314 and 315. In this embodiment, the device 350 is configured toproduce such images and sounds only when authorized to do so, and suchauthorization should only be transmitted to the device 350 once the user344 of the device 350 has provided payment.

FIG. 15 depicts a programming and charging system implementing anembodiment of the present invention. A cart 410 as depicted in FIG. 15includes a left top panel 412 and a right top panel 414 hingedlyconnected together atop a base 418. The preferred base 418 includes asubstantially rectangular back panel 420, a substantially rectangularfront panel 422, a left side 424 and a right side 426. The left side 424and right side 426 include a plurality of storage bins 428 interposedbetween the front panel 422 and the back panel 420. In the preferredembodiment, the storage bins 428 are substantially rectangular openingsinto the left side 424 and right side 426 of the base 418, evenly spacedbetween the front panel 422 and the back panel 420, each of the openingsdefined by vertical walls 430 and horizontal walls 432 substantiallyparallel to the front panel 422 and back panel 420.

In other embodiments, the storage bins 428 may be other shapes,including but not limited to circular, or triangular. In the preferredembodiment, the vertical walls 430 and horizontal walls 432 defining theopenings do not run the entire length of the front panel 422 and backpanel 420, with separate sets of storage bins 428 on the left side 424of the base 418 and the right side 426 of the base 418, rather thancontinuous storage bins 428 running the entire length of the front panel422 and back panel 420.

At the top of the base 418 in FIG. 15 is a front storage wall 436extending outwardly and upwardly from the front panel 422 of the base418. In the embodiment there is a corresponding rear storage wall 438extending outwardly and upwardly from the back panel 420 of the base418. Additionally, a left storage wall 440 extends upwardly from theleft side 424 of the base 418, and a right storage wall 442 extendsupwardly from the right side 426 of the base 418. The front storage wall436, rear storage wall 438, left storage wall 440, and right storagewall 442 define a substantially rectangular charging/programming area450.

The left top panel 412 and right top panel 414 are hingedly connected toeach other, and to the front storage wall 436 and rear storage wall 438,such that the left top panel 412 in the down position (FIG. 15) coversthe left half of the charging/programming area 450. When the left toppanel 412 is in the up position, the left portion of thecharging/programming area 450, and any contents therein, are exposed.Similarly, in the preferred embodiment, the right top panel 414 ishingedly connected to the left top panel 412, and the front storage wall436 and rear storage wall 438, such that when the right top panel is inthe down position, the right half of the charging/programming area 450is covered. When the right top panel 414 is in the up position (as shownin FIG. 15), the right side of the charging/programming area 450, andany contents therein, are exposed.

A lock 413 is provided for securing and/or locking the left top panel412 to the base 418 when the left top panel 412 is in the down position,ensuring that the left top panel 412 does not open, for safety andsecurity purposes. Similarly, a lock is provided for securing and/orlocking the right top panel 414 to the base 418 when the right top panel414 is in the down position.

The cart 410 depicted in FIG. 15 also includes steerable caster wheels444 for rolling the cart 410 from one location to another. As would beknown to one of skill in the art, the steerable caster wheels 444 may beconfigured to rotate about an axis to allow the cart 410 to turn to theright or left when pulled or pushed to the right or left. Similarly, thepreferred embodiment of the cart 410 of FIG. 15 includes a tow bar 446to allow the cart 410 to be pulled from one location to another. Thepreferred tow bar 446 is configured to attach to the back panel 420 ofanother cart 410 such that multiple carts may be connected together bythe tow bar 446 of each cart 410, and the multiple carts 410 may bemoved together by pulling the tow bar 446 of the lead cart 410.

The cart 410 depicted in FIG. 15 further includes a power source forproviding power to the charging/programming area 450, enabling the cart410 to perform the charging and programming functions as describedbelow. The power source is a rechargeable power source, such as abattery, contained within the cart 410 that may be recharged at anystandard electrical outlet. In other embodiments, the cart 410 may notcontain a rechargeable power source, and may be configured to allow thecart to be plugged into any standard electrical outlet to provide powerto the cart 410 to perform the charging and programming functions asdescribed below. In yet other embodiments, the cart 410 may beconfigured to be powered via a non-standard electrical outlet.

FIG. 16 depicts the charging/programming area 450 depicted in FIG. 15.As shown in FIG. 16, the charging/programming area 450 includes aplurality of docking ports 452, for holding a plurality of audio/videodevices 460 (FIG. 17). Each docking port 452 is configured to hold oneaudio/video device 460. Each docking port 452 includes a base portion456 with a receiver pocket 454 disposed therein, the receiver pocket 454being an opening in the base portion 456 for receiving an audio/videodevice 460. Each receiver pocket 454 is configured to receive at leastone audio/video device 460, and may be configured in alternateembodiments to receive a plurality of audio/video devices 460. In otherembodiments, the receiver pocket 454 may be configured to receive aportion of the audio/video device 460, where the portion of theaudio/video device 460 that may need to be charged and/or programmed isdetachable from the rest of the audio/video device 460.

As depicted in FIG. 16, the receiver pocket 454 in some embodiments maybe an opening in the base portion 456 that is substantially rectangularin shape. However, the receiver pocket 454 in other embodiments may beopenings of other shapes. In yet other embodiments, the docking port 452may comprise a base portion 456 containing a receiver pocket 454extending upwardly (not shown) from the base portion 456, rather thanbeing an opening into the base portion 456 as depicted in FIG. 16.

In the preferred embodiment, the receiver pocket 454 includes acharge/program connector 458. The charge/program connector 458 receivespower from the power source of the cart 410. The charge/programconnector 458 is configured to engage the audio/video device 460 whenthe audio/video device 460 is seated in the receiver pocket 454, suchthat electrical current and/or information or digital data may betransmitted between the receiver pocket 454 and the audio/video device460.

In the preferred embodiment, the base portion 456 also includes a chargeindicator light 462. The charge indicator light 462 is configured toilluminate in a first color when the audio/video device 460 is connectedto the charge/program connector 458, indicating that a proper connectionhas been made. The charge indicator light 462 is further configured toilluminate, in a second color when a proper connection has been made,and after the power source of the audio/video device 460 is fullycharged.

FIG. 17 is a side cut-away view of the preferred docking port 452depicted in FIG. 16, showing a cut-away view of sample audio/videodevices 460 engaged in docking ports 452. As depicted in FIG. 17, eachaudio/video device 460 fits into a receiver pocket 454 formed in thebase portion 456 of each docking port 452. When engaged with the dockingport 452, the audio/video device 460 in the preferred embodiment fitssnuggly inside the receiver pocket 454, and the audio/video device 460engages with the charge/program connector 458. The charge/programconnector 458 further includes logic to control the connection, which inthe preferred embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 17, is contained on acharge/program printed circuit board 464 (“PCB”). As would be known toone of ordinary skill in the art, there are various ways in which theconnection may be made such that information and/or digital data may bepassed from the cart 410 through the charge/program connector 458 to atleast one audio/video device 460, while at the same time power is passedto at least one audio/video device 460 to charge the power source of theaudio/video device 460.

There are also a variety of ways contemplated to select the informationto be input into the audio/video device 460. For example, the cart 410,in FIG. 15 includes a control panel 448 where instructions and/orinfoiniation may be manually selected by an operator for transfer to theaudio/video device 460 when the audio/video device 460 is fitted intoreceiver pocket 454 of the docking port 452 as depicted in FIG. 17. FIG.18 depicts an example control panel 448. The control panel 448 wouldinclude one or more channel selectors 470. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 18, a single channel selector 470 comprises a series of selectorwheels 472 to allow an operator to select a desired value.

The control panel 448 also includes an add to memory activator 474 andan erase from memory activator 476. The add to memory activator 474 maybe activated to add a frequency selected on the channel selector 470 tothe memory of one or more audio/video devices 460 contained within thecharging/programming area 450 of the cart 410. The selector wheels 472of the channel selector 470 are manipulated by the operator to display adesired frequency. Once the desired frequency is selected on the channelselector 470, the add to memory activator 474 is activated by theoperator. Upon activation of the add to memory activator 474, thefrequency selected on the channel selector 470 is programmed into thememory of each audio/video device 460 that is fitted into a docking port452 when the add to memory activator 474 is activated. In differentimplementations, the memory of the audio/video devices 460 may includesoftware, hardware, and or firmware, and the programming of the memorymay take place in a variety of manners that would be known to one ofskill in the art.

Similarly, the erase from memory activator 476 may be activated to erasethe frequency selected on the channel selector 470 from the memory ofone or more audio/video devices 460 contained within thecharging/programming area 450 of the cart 410. In the preferredembodiment, the selector wheels 472 of the channel selector 470 aremanipulated by the operator to display a desired frequency. Once thedesired frequency is selected on the channel selector 470, the erasefrom memory activator 476 is activated by the operator. Upon activationof the erase from memory activator 476, the frequency selected on thechannel selector 470 is erased from the memory of each audio/videodevice 460 that is fitted into a docking port 452 when the erase frommemory activator 476 is activated. In different implementations, thememory of the audio/video devices 460 may include software, hardware,and or firmware, and the erasing of the memory may take place in avariety of manners that would be known to one of skill in the art.

In different embodiments, the activators may be buttons, switches orother activation devices. Similarly, in other embodiments, the channelselector 470 may be a digital pad with a display, allowing manual entryof frequencies and other information by an operator through the digitalpad. In yet other embodiments, the control panel 448 could include areceiving mechanism (not shown) allowing information to be transmittedto the cart 410 from a remote device, including an infra-red or otherwireless device, rather than manual entry of the information on thecontrol panel 448 itself by the operator.

Operation

An exemplary use and operation of the video/audio system and associatedmethodology are described hereafter.

Assume for illustrative purposes that a spectator would like to attendan auto race and would like to have access to an in-car view from acamera within his favorite driver's car. In addition, the spectatorwould also like to continuously hear the dialogue between theaforementioned driver and the driver's pit crew, as well as the commentsprovided by his favorite radio commentator. It should be apparent thatother views and/or sounds may be desirable in other examples.

In the past, the spectator would attend the race and acquire (as well astune) a radio to receive the commentator's comments and a radio toreceive the radio signals transmitted between the driver and thedriver's pit crew. Then, the spectator would locate a monitor at thestadium displaying the in-car view that he desires to see, assuming thatsuch a monitor is provided. The spectator would then remain within sightof the monitor and listen to the two radios. If the monitor is notlocated in a desirable location for viewing the race, the spectatorwould have to choose between viewing the monitor and viewing the race ata desirable location. Furthermore, the handling of multiple radios isgenerally cumbersome and distracting.

When the user attends the race and the user is provided a receiver 75for his individual use. In the preferred embodiment, the receiver 75 islocated at the spectator's seat within the stadium. However, thereceiver 75 may be located at other convenient locations, and when thecombined signal 71 is transmitted via a wireless transmitter, thespectator may carry the receiver 75 around with him to any desirablelocation in or around the stadium.

The receiver preferably includes the HMD 250 depicted by FIG. 6.Therefore, the spectator dons the HMD 250 such that the forehead brace161 is pressed against his forehead and each noise reduction device 252a and 252 b covers one of the spectator's ear. Then the spectatoradjusts the length of the strap 156 until the HMD 250 properly fitsabout his head. The spectator then manipulates buttons or other types ofswitches at user interface 94 to control which signal 84 is output bymultiplexer 88 and, therefore, which signals 22 and 25 are transmittedvia cable 171 to the HMD 250. Through techniques known in the art,images defined by the video signals transmitted along cable 171 areshown by display device 101 (e.g., LCDs 175), and sounds defined by theaudio signals transmitted along cable 171 are produced by speakers 103 aand 103 b, which are respectively located within devices 252 a and 252b. Accordingly, the spectator may use the receiver 75 to see the desiredview of the race (i.e., the in-car view) and to hear the desired soundsof the race (i.e., the dialogue between the driver and the. driver's pitcrew, and the comments from the radio commentator).

In this regard, the interface device 28 preferably receives at least avideo signal 22 defining the in-car view of his favorite driver and aplurality of audio signals 25 defining the dialogue between his favoritedriver and the driver's pit crew, as well as the comments from hisfavorite radio commentator. At least one of the audio combiners 52combines these audio signals 25 into a combined signal 55. One of thesignal modulators 61 receives this combined signal 55 and the videosignal 22 defining the desired in-car view. This video signal 22 ismodulated and combined with the foregoing combined signal 55 by one ofthe signal modulators 61 to create a modulated signal 64. This modulatedsignal 64 is combined with other modulated signals 64 and transmitted tothe spectator's receiver 75 via combiner 67.

The demodulator 82 in the spectator's receiver 75 demodulates andseparates the received signal 71 into separate signals 84. Based on thecontrol signals 92 received from user interface 94, the multiplexer 88allows only the signal 84 defined by the aforementioned video and audiosignals 22 and 25 to pass. Therefore, these video and audio signals 22and 25 are respectively transmitted to the display device 101 andspeakers 103 a and 103 b and the spectator may enjoy the view and soundsthat he selected.

It should be noted that it is not necessary for the spectator to keepthe receiver 75 within a stadium. In this regard, the signal 71 may betransmitted via satellites and/or communication networks to variouslocations around the world, and the spectator may select the view andsounds he prefers the most from just about any location capable ofreceiving signal 71.

It should also be noted that the receiver 75 may be retrieved from thespectator after the spectator is finished viewing the event so that thereceiver can be provided to another spectator for another event at thestadium. Each spectator is preferably charged a usage fee for thespectator's use of the receiver 75. It should be noted that a portion ofthe receiver 75 may be installed at the spectator's seat such that useronly needs to retrieve the HMD 151 and/or other components of thereceiver 75 during the event and return the retrieved components afterthe event. Furthermore, the entire receiver 75 may be installed at thespectator's seat such that spectator only needs to pay for the use ofthe receiver.

In addition, it may be desirable for one of the audio signals 25 to havea higher amplitude than the other audio signals 25. For example, aspectator may desire to hear comments from a radio commentator unless acommunication between his favorite driver and the driver's pit crewoccurs. When the a communication between the driver and the driver'screw occurs, the spectator would rather listen to this communicationinstead of the radio commentator's comments.

Accordingly, one of the audio combiners 52 is preferably used to combinea first audio signal 25 defining the radio commentator's comments and asecond audio signal defining the communications between the driver andthe driver's pit crew preferably increases the amplitude of the secondaudio signal 25 relative to the first audio signal. This may beaccomplished by increasing the amplitude of the second audio signal 25with an amplifier or by attenuating the amplitude of the first audiosignal 25 with an attenuator. Therefore, when the combined signal 55produced by the aforementioned audio combiner 52 is ultimately receivedby the spectator's receiver 75, which produces sound based on thiscombined signal 55, the user hears the radio commentator's comments whenthere is no communication between the driver and the driver's crew.However, when there is a communication between the driver and thedriver's crew, this communication is louder than the radio commentator'scomments. Accordingly, the spectator can clearly hear the communicationsbetween the driver and the driver's crew even though the spectator'sability to clearly hear the radio commentator's comments is impaired. Itshould be noted that the foregoing techniques for increasing theamplitude of one audio signal 25 relative to others may be employed fordifferent combinations of audio signals 25 and is not limited to theexemplary combination described above.

Furthermore, it should also be noted that the system has been describedherein in the context of auto racing. However, the system 20 may beuseful in other applications as well. The system 20 would be useful inany application where it is desirable for the user to control the typesof views and sounds of an event that are presented to the user. Forexample, the present invention could be particularly useful in any typeof sporting event or other type of event attended by a large number ofpeople.

The system is also capable of storing, vending, programming and/orcharging audio/video devices 460. In an embodiment, the system programsand/or charges personal audio/video devices 460 for use in associationwith events at a stadium as previously disclosed in copendingnon-provisional U.S. patent applications, serial Nos. 09/322,411,09/386,613, and 09/837,128, which have been incorporated herein byreference. The personal audio/video devices 460 may be stored in thecharging/programming area 450 of the cart 410 when the personalaudio/video devices 460 are not being used, with the left top panel 412(FIG. 15) and the right top panel 414 both in the down position andsecured. Additionally, the storage bins 428 allow for storage ofequipment associated with the personal audio/video devices 460 ordetachable portions of the personal audio/video devices 460 that do notneed to be programmed or charged.

The steerable caster wheels 444 and tow bar 446 allow the cart 410 or aplurality of carts 410 to be easily transported to different stadiums,including stadiums in different geographic locations, or to differentevents at the same stadium. The hingedly connected top panels 412 and414 allow the personal audio/video devices to be displayed and/or vendedto potential users at a stadium or event, if desired, by unlocking andplacing the left top panel 412 and/or right top panel 414 into the openposition. Similarly, the personal audio/video devices 460 may becollected from users at the conclusion of an event and stored within thecart 410 until the personal audio/video devices 460 are vended orprovided to users at the next stadium or event.

In the preferred embodiment, the cart 410 further allows programming thememory of and/or charging of the power source of one or more of aplurality of personal audio/video devices 460 when each personalaudio/video device 460 is placed in a receiver pocket 454 in thecharging/programming area 450 of the cart 410. As depicted in FIG. 17,when a personal audio/video device 460 is placed in the preferreddocking port 452, the personal audio/video device 460 seats snuggly intothe receiver pocket 454. The receiver pocket 454 may be formed frommolded plastic or other like material.

When placed in the receiver pocket 454, the personal audio/video device460 engages the charge/program connector 458 contained within thepreferred docking port 452, establishing a connection. Thecharge/program connector 458 allows electric current to flow betweencart 410 and the personal audio/video device 460, charging the powersource of the personal audio/video device 460. Additionally, thecharge/program connector 458 in the preferred embodiment is controlledby logic allowing communication of information and/or data between thecart 410 and the personal audio/video devices 460. In the preferredembodiment, the logic is contained on a charge/program printed circuitboard (“PCB”) 464.

When one or more personal audio/video devices 460 are placed in thereceiver pocket 454 and engage the charge/program connector 458, thepower source of one or more personal audio/video device 460 may becharged through the charge/program connector 458 while the personalaudio/video devices 460 are being stored in the charging/programmingarea 450 of the cart 410. Each docking port 452 contains a chargeindicator light 462 to indicate when the personal audio/video device 460is properly seated in the docking port 452, such that the personalaudio/video devices 460 is engaged with the charge/program connector458.

The charge indicator light 462 in the preferred embodiment is an LEDlight which illuminates a first color when the personal audio/videodevice 460 is properly seated in the docking port 452, and the powersource of the personal audio/video device 460 is being charged throughthe charge/program connector 458. In the preferred embodiment, thecharge/program PCB 464 contains logic to detect when the power source ofa personal audio/video device 460 is fully charged. When the powersource of a personal audio/video device 460 is fully charged, the chargeindicator light 462 for the docking port 452 containing the fullycharged personal audio/video device 460 illuminates a second colorindicating a proper connection, and that the personal audio/video device460 is fully charged.

Further, the charge/program PCB 464 contains logic to enable only someof a plurality of personal audio/video devices 460 to be charged ifdesired. In this embodiment, less than all of the plurality of personalaudio/video devices 460 contained in the charging/programming area 450of the cart 410 may be charged, and any combination of the plurality ofpersonal audio/video devices 460 may be selected for charging ifdesired, with the remaining unselected personal audio/video devices 460not being charged through the charge/program connector 458.

Additionally, the logic, contained in the charge/program PCB 464 allowsthe memory of the personal audio/video devices 460 to be “programmed”with various information desired.

In one embodiment, the information “programmed” into the memory of thepersonal audio/video devices 460 will include assigning specific audiofrequencies and video frequencies for each selectable channel of thepersonal audio/video devices 460, such as that discussed above inrelation to the add to memory activator 474 and erase from memoryactivator 476. In this embodiment, the specific audio frequencies andvideo frequencies assigned to the selectable channels of the personalaudio/video devices 460 will correspond to the audio frequencies andvideo frequencies available for use at the next stadium or event atwhich the personal audio/video devices 460 will be used. In thisembodiment, the “programming” could further include erasing or deletingfrom the memory of the personal audio/video devices 460 the audiofrequencies and video frequencies used by the personal audio/videodevices 460 at the previous stadium or event.

In other embodiments, the “programming” may include upgrades, updates,alterations, or modifications to the software or firmware contained inone or more of the personal audio/video devices 460 and/or in the memoryof one or more of the personal audio/video devices 460 placed in thecharging/programming area 450 of the cart 410. As an example, and in noway intended to limit the present invention, the personal audio/videodevices 460 may include instructions contained in software, firmware,and/or hardware of the audio/video devices 460 to enable the personalaudio/video devices 460 to operate. These operating instructions mayinclude software code stored in the memory of the audio/video devices460. The “programming” in this embodiment will include, transferring newsoftware code and/or new portions of software code into the memory ofthe audio/video devices 460 to upgrade the software code in the memoryof the audio/video devices 460, enhancing performance. This upgradingmay be performed in a variety of manners that would be known to one ofordinary skill in the art.

As with the charging, specific personal audio/video devices 460 placedor stored in the charging/programming area 450 of the cart 410 may beselected to receive “programming” information or data, while otherpersonal audio/video devices 460 are not “programmed.” Similarly, one orany number of personal audio/video devices 460 may be selected toreceive a first set of “programming” information or data, while a secondnumber of personal audio/video devices 460 may be selected to receive asecond and different set of “programming” information or data.

By way of example, and in no way intended to limit the presentinvention, a first desired number of the personal audio/video devices460 contained in the charging/programming area 450 of a cart 410 may beselected to receive a first set of audio frequencies and videofrequencies, while a second desired number of the personal audio/videodevices 460 contained in the unit charging/programming area of the samecart 410 may be selected to receive a second and different set of audiofrequencies and video frequencies, and a third desired number of thepersonal audio/video devices 460 contained in the charging/programmingarea 450 of the same cart 410 may have all audio frequencies and videofrequencies erased from memory.

The information or data to be “programmed” into one or more of thepersonal audio/video devices 460 may be communicated to the cart 410 bythe operator in a variety of ways, including manually on a control panel448 located on the cart 410 (FIG. 15), or by a remote devicecommunicating the information to the cart 410, either through a directconnection or wirelessly, using methods that would be know to oneskilled in the art.

In a preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 15 and FIG. 17, a controlpanel 448 may be used to select information to be “programmed” into oneor more of the personal audio/video devices 460. A variety of manualinput mechanisms may be on the control panel 448, and as indicated inFIG. 17, a preferred embodiment includes a channel selector 470 by whichvarious audio frequencies and/or video frequencies may be selected to be“programmed” into the memory of the personal audio/video devices 460.

In this embodiment, the control panel 448 further includes an add tomemory activator 474 and an erase from memory activator 476, which maybe buttons, switches or other activators. By selecting a value on thechannel selector 470 and activating one of the activators 474 and 476,the value on the channel selector 470 may be “programmed” into, orerased from, the memory of one or more of the personal audio/videodevices 460. Additionally, in other embodiments, the control panel 448may include a channel selector 470, which includes a keypad with adisplay (not shown).

In other embodiments, the control panel may include a port, connector,or wireless receiver allowing an operator to use a remote device tocommunicate to the cart 410 the desired information or data to be“programmed” into one or more of the personal audio/video devices 460.Similarly, in some embodiments, the cart 410 may not have a controlpanel 448 at all, but instead just a port, connector, or wirelessreceiver allowing a remote device to communicate to the cart 410, thedesired information or data to be “programmed” into one or more of thepersonal audio/video devices 460.

It should also be noted that the present invention has been describedherein in the context of auto racing. However, the system may be usefulin other applications as well. The cart 410 would be useful in anyapplication where it is desirable for the user to control the types ofviews and sounds of an event that are presented to the user via personalaudio/video devices 460. For example, the system could be particularlyuseful in any type of sporting event or other type of event attended bya large number of people.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thepresent invention, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merelypossible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations andmodifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of theinvention without departing substantially from the spirit and principlesof the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended tobe included herein within the scope of the present invention andprotected by the claims.

1. A method for providing video content related to an entertainmentevent to a user, the method comprising: providing at least one ofsoftware and firmware configured to be transferred to a plurality ofhandheld devices having memory, programmable portable receivers andportable displays, the receivers programmed to communicate with acommunications network; formatting a plurality of video signals relatedto the entertainment event into video content, said video signals beingproduced by different cameras located at the entertainment event; andtransmitting said video content wirelessly from a wireless transmitterof the communications network over a broadcast area encompassing atleast a portion of the event, to said portable receivers located withinthe broadcast area, wherein the at least one of software and firmwareenables the handheld device to allow users to select, at thecorresponding individual handheld device, from said video content, andto display, via the corresponding individual portable display, an imagedefined by said video content selected by the individual correspondinguser;
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: formatting aplurality of audio signals associated with the event into audio content;and transmitting said audio content wirelessly over the broadcast areato the handheld devices, the handheld devices having speakers, the audiocontent being formatted in a manner that allows users to select theaudio content to play over the speakers of the corresponding portablereceiver, wherein the audio content is transmitted separately from thevideo content.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said formattingseparates said video content, prior to transmission, into at least firstand second video channels that are selected by and transmitted todifferent corresponding first and second handheld devices.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein the transmitting includes broadcasting the videocontent over the broadcast area encompassing the event to permit usersto carry said handheld devices about the broadcast area and choose wherethe users would like to view the video content.
 5. The method of claim1, wherein the event is a car race and the video content selected by thespectator carries video signals associated with a desired in-car view.6. The method of claim 1, further comprising locating a plurality ofcameras at the event to obtain the different views of the event producedas the video signals.
 7. The method of claim 2, wherein said videocontent includes first and second video signals associated with theevent and said audio content includes first and second audio signalsassociated with the event, the first audio and video signals beingtransmitted to a first handheld device, the second audio and videosignals being transmitted to a second handheld device.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the event is a car race and said audio content includesdialogue between drivers and the driver's pit crews.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the audio content and video content are wirelesslytransmitted at different points in time during the event.
 10. The methodof claim 1, further comprising charging usage fees before authorizingthe handheld devices to display the video content.
 11. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one of software and firmware transferredto the handheld devices further comprising network related programminginformation for programming the portable receivers to a frequency rangeassociated with a second communications network.
 12. The method of claim1, further comprising storing the at least one of software and firmwaretransferred to the handheld devices in memory of the handheld devices,the at least one of software and firmware including network relatedprogramming information identifying at least one frequency rangeassociated with the communications network that carries the videocontent.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the formatting includes,within the video content, at least first and second video signalsmultiplexed over different unique first and second channels.
 14. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising wirelessly receiving, at thehandheld devices, the at least one of software and firmware, which isstored in memory and used by signal processing logic in the handhelddevices to condition the video content to be compatible with thedisplay.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the handheld device includessignal processing logic, the at least one of software and firmwaretransferred to the handheld device further comprising programminginformation that enables the signal processing logic to condition videocontent received by the receivers to be compatible with the displays.16. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one of software andfirmware transferred to the handheld device further comprisingprogramming information for reprogramming the receiver to communicatewith different communications networks.
 17. The method of claim 1,wherein the audio content includes an audio signal being generated fromat least one of a microphone located close to a sideline of the event, amicrophone located in a helmet of a player, a microphone located to pickup sounds from participants in the event, and a commentator microphone.18. A programmable portable wireless handheld device to receive videocontent related to an entertainment event, the portable wirelesshandheld device comprising: memory to store programming information; aprogrammable receiver configured to receive video content transmittedwirelessly from a communications network, the network having at leastone wireless transmitter with a broadcast area encompassing at least aportion of the entertainment event, said video content including videosignals being produced by at least one camera from a plurality ofcameras at said event, wherein said receiver is programmed, based on theprogramming information stored in the memory, to communicate with thecommunications network that carries said video content; signalprocessing logic to condition the video content to be compatible withthe display based on the programming information stored in the memory; adisplay configured to display images based on said video signals; and auser interface for selecting said video content for viewing by a user onsaid display.
 19. The device of claim 18, wherein said event occurs at astadium and said handheld device is configured to operate at or awayfrom said stadium.
 20. The device of claim 18, wherein said receiverpermits the user to roam away from the event while said displayintermittently displays images defined by said video signal.
 21. Thedevice of claim 18, wherein the receiver is programmed to multiplechannels that carry audio content transmitted wirelessly to saidreceiver, said audio content being associated with the event, the devicefurther comprising a speaker to play selected audio content that iscarried over a channel selected at the user interface.
 22. The device ofclaim 18, wherein the programming information includes network relatedprogramming information that programs the receiver to at least first andsecond channels separately conveying first and second video signalsassociated with first and second views, respectively, of theentertainment event.
 23. The device of claim 18, wherein the receiver isconfigured to wirelessly receive at least one of upgrades, updates,alterations and modifications to the programming information, which isstored in the memory and used by the signal processing logic tocondition the video content to be compatible with the display.
 24. Thedevice of claim 18, wherein the video content comprises at least twovideo signals produced by different cameras located at the event, thevideo signals defining different views of the event.
 25. The device ofclaim 18, wherein the programming information includes content relatedprogramming information that enables the signal processing logic tocondition the video content to be compatible with the display.
 26. Thedevice of claim 18, wherein the programming information includes networkrelated programming information that programs the receiver to a networkfrequency range associated with the communications network.
 27. Thedevice of claim 18, wherein the signal processing logic selects betweenfirst and second video signals produced by different cameras andcorresponding to first and second views of the event, respectively,based on individual user selections at the user interface.
 28. Thedevice of claim 18, wherein the receiver is reprogrammable to differentfrequency ranges to communicate with different communications networks.